Health Encyclopedia

Overcoming Your Obstacles to Exercising

Making a commitment to increase your activity level is a great start, but it’s not always enough. Lots of things can stand in our way. We have work, family and community obligations.

"Well, you know, that’s a lot of reasons a lot of people use -- that they don’t have time. I owe myself one hour a day. I can give my body one hour a day, I’m happy."

Gym memberships cost money. So does home exercise equipment, and exercise clothing. Some people shy away from physical activity because they’ve had an injury, or they’re afraid they might get hurt.

"My knees. I’ve had knee surgery on both knees when I was bigger. And they get to hurting once in awhile."

Your emotions may be an obstacle. It can be hard to start a program, or hit the treadmill after a hard days work.

"You know, some people might stop their exercise program because they think there is only one way to do it -- in the gym, running on the track -- and they hate that."

Once you’ve figured out what your obstacles are, you can work on ways to get around them.

"There’s a lot of way to get physical activity nowadays without going into the gym. There are tracks at a lot of the local schools. There are public parks with great trails and bicycle trails everywhere."

"You know, I joined a health club, there just wasn’t time to get there. I decided to try personal training. And I said, ‘Well, this is someone who is going to work on my time schedule when it’s best for me.’"

Support doesn’t have to be a physical trainer. It could be a family member, friend, or co-worker.

"Yeah, I have a very good support family system. My sister and I make ourselves wake up early in the morning and we walk at least one hour or more, three times a week."

And when you run into setbacks, don’t beat yourself up. Everyone gets off track sometimes.

"Everyday is not going to be a good day. It’s okay to miss a day. It’s okay to be tired. Maybe Friday’s not going to work out this time, and it’s okay to make it up on Saturday, maybe on Monday, and start fresh."

"Well, in the past it was really easy to have a setback and just say, ‘Forget it. I’m not doing it.’ But I think as you get older, mortality starts to really matter. And I realize that without my health, I have nothing."

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.